MACCABEANS, ORDER OF ANCIENT
- MACCABEANS, ORDER OF ANCIENT
- MACCABEANS, ORDER OF ANCIENT, a friendly benefit society in
Britain whose members are Zionists. Founded in 1896 by Ephraim
Ish-Kishor and registered under the Friendly Societies' Act, the Order
of Ancient Maccabeans still exists. Its aims are those of all British
friendly societies, namely, to assist members in distress, provide free
medical aid, etc. Its special character is laid down in its rules
concerning membership: all persons "of the Jewish faith who declare
themselves adherents to the Zionist Movement" can become members. From
its inception the order was a firm supporter of Zionism, contributed to
its various funds, and became a champion of practical Zionist work in
Ereẓ Israel. In 1914 a Maccabean Land Company was founded to enable its
shareholders to acquire land in Ereẓ Israel. The organization of the
order displays masonic features. A grand beacon and high degree council
supervise its work; branches are called beacons, of which there are 25
(there once were beacons in Palestine as well); the principal officers
are called grand commander, grand treasurer, and grand secretary.
Members are called upon to obey the decisions of their order and are
forbidden to inform nonmembers of the order's activities.
The revised statutes of the Zionist Organization passed by the Tenth
Zionist Congress (1911) permitted the establishment of so-called
Sonderverbaende (separate unions), in addition to the
existing territorial organizations, on the condition that every
Sonderverband numbered at least 3,000 shekel-buying members
and that it professed special views on Zionist work. The Order of
Ancient Maccabeans applied for this status, and though its claim was
opposed by the English Zionist Federation, the order prevailed. In 1912
the Zionist Executive decided in favor of the order's status as
Sonderverband on the condition that a Joint Zionist Council
be formed, comprising representatives of both the order and the
federation. In the 1930s, however, the order lost its special status.
Prominent members of the order were Herbert bentwich , who served
as grand commander; chaim weizmann , who represented the order at
Congresses; and selig brodetsky , who served as grand commander.
In 2004 its president was Sir Ian Gainsford. Its papers from the 1890s
to 1964 are held at the Parkes Library, Southampton University.
(Israel Philipp)
Encyclopedia Judaica.
1971.
Look at other dictionaries:
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